"BLACK ANGELS WILL FLY." a photo series by christian harper.
‘black angels will fly” is a photo series that I created that showcases black creatives as angelic figures. Throughout my life, I have been fascinated with imagery depicting angels and biblical subjects. I grew up as a Christian and was heavily involved in church. Over time my family stopped attending service as often, and I slowly grew away from religion as a whole. Since I’ve stopped going to church, I have found my own spiritual beliefs that inspired my ideas behind this shoot. I’m a big believer in energies and auras, and I wanted to create photographs that radiate a very angelic and heavenly aura. Also, as a child, my mother had always told me that I’m her guardian angel, which has always reminded me that I have lots of purpose and power on this earth. I’m choosing to make it a series depicting only black creatives that, to me, also give off the same energy and purpose that my mother has told me I’ve always given off. I also believe that black people need more photos taken of them that aren’t depicting violence or black people in a negative manner. With these beliefs backing me, I wanted to share work that I felt would give a positive impact on the world.
Black Angels Will Fly. Series One, "Heaven on Earth." Shot in Brooklyn, 2023. Model is Heaven-Leigh @heavenab0ve
Black Angels Will Fly. Series Two, "Fables of Brooklyn." Shot in Brooklyn, 2023. Model is Fabian (rest in peace.)
Black Angels Will Fly. Series Three, "Siren at Sunset." Shot in North Texas, 2023. Model is Micah @micahnikor additional styling by Sean Morris
Black Angels Will Fly. Series Four, "Sitting in Solace." Shot in Denton, 2023. Self portraits.
